Rotationally stabilized atmospheric reflector to reduce solar irradiance

Abstract

A method is described to stabilize a reflector in the upper atmosphere to reflect solar irradiance before it can be absorbed or scattered by Earth's atmosphere or surface. Thin reflective sheets are flown under control in the upper atmosphere above Earth, in contrast to reflecting from Space orbits or the ground. The high altitude enables nearly total reflection. This invention uses rotational motion to hold sheets stretched by centrifugal means while enabling the generation of aerodynamic lift. During the daytime solar power is used to store rotational and potential energy. During the night the low disc loading of the rotor system facilitates gliding flight without descending into controlled airspace.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. Method of locating a rotary wing vehicle with large reflective surfaces at high altitude for extended periods, consisting of:
 using thin reflective sheets to cover a large portion of a vehicle planform means of holding said thin reflective sheets in tension using centrifugal stresses resulting from rotation to form the large reflective surfaces; 
 generating aerodynamic lift by aerodynamic rotor blades generally located at the periphery of the thin reflective sheets; 
 rotating said thin reflective sheets and rotors, by the use of motors and propellers, wherein the motors are powered by solar photovoltaic means; 
 cancelling torque from each motor by connecting said rotors in a quadrotor fashion, where adjacent rotors have opposite senses of rotation; 
 maneuvering by varying the thrust of each of the rotors independently; 
 generating additional aerodynamic lift by causing said rotary wing vehicle with the large reflective surfaces to move edgewise in a manner similar to that of a frisbee toy.